Genomic Locus Modulating IOP in the BXD RI Mouse Strains

Abstract

PurposeIntraocular pressure (IOP) is the primary risk factor for developing glaucoma. The present study examines genomic contribution to the normal regulation of IOP in the mouse.\n\nMethodsThe BXD recombinant inbred (RI) strain set was used to identify genomic loci modulating IOP. We measured the IOP from 532 eyes from 33 different strains. The IOP data will be subjected to conventional quantitative trait analysis using simple and composite interval mapping along with epistatic interactions to define genomic loci modulating normal IOP.\n\nResultsThe analysis defined one significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) on Chr.8 (100 to 106 Mb). The significant locus was further examined to define candidate genes that modulate normal IOP. There are only two good candidate genes within the 6 Mb over the peak, Cdh8 (Cadherin 8) and Cdh11 (Cadherin 11). Expression analysis on gene expression and immunohistochemistry indicate that Cdh11 is the best candidate for modulating the normal levels of IOP.\n\nConclusionsWe have examined the genomic regulation of IOP in the BXD RI strain set and found one significant QTL on Chr. 8. Within this QTL that are two potential candidates for modulating IOP with the most likely gene being Cdh11.